The 2023 report, which gives an update on the support provided to the Armed Forces community in the last year, has now been published.
AFF, with the RAF Families Federation and Naval Families Federation, had the opportunity to comment on the report and ensure that the voice of military families was heard.
In our observations on pages 9-14, we highlight the review of the Armed Forces Covenant governance structure to ensure that there is continued focus on the unique needs of serving personnel and their families.
We also raised the need to monitor progress on issues as they are taken forward by relevant government departments.
The families federations welcomed the expansion of eligibility for the Wraparound Childcare Scheme and were pleased to note the Armed Forces Families Fund: Early Years Programme. However, service personnel and their families also need greater consistency of childcare provision as they move around the UK, and to overseas locations.
The increase to Home Office Immigration and Nationality fees was implemented just after the end of the reporting period, so we would welcome an update on the impact that this has had on Service personnel and their families from the non-UK community in next year’s report. In addition, the recent announcement of the increase to the Minimum Income Requirement will be a focus next year.
The New Accommodation Offer will be launched at the end of reporting period and we will comment on this next year. Read the report and our observations on it.
POSTED ON 18 DECEMBER 2023